Andy X Aura
Crafting Bold Ceramics with Andy
A Hand Building Experience with Groggy Clay
December 18 - 24, 2024
About the Retreat
Join us for an exclusive 6-day pottery retreat at Aura Pottery, where creativity and craftsmanship converge in a serene, inspiring setting. Tailored specifically for intermediate-level potters, this retreat is designed to enhance your hand-building skills and explore new dimensions in pottery. Under the expert guidance of our senior resident potter, Anuja—affectionately known as Andy—you’ll delve deep into advanced pottery techniques, particularly focusing on the challenging yet rewarding art of working with groggy clay.
What to Expect
- Hands-On Learning: Immerse yourself in intensive, hands-on sessions where you’ll master techniques like coiling, pinching, and surface decoration.
- Explore Groggy Clay: Learn to shape, carve, and decorate with groggy clay, a textured material that requires both skill and patience.
- Create Large-Scale Art: Conceptualize and bring to life 24-inch high pottery pieces, working backward from your vision to the finished product.
- Holistic Experience: Beyond pottery, enjoy the tranquil surroundings of Aura Farm, organic meals, and evenings filled with fun and camaraderie.
Meet Anuja a.k.a. Andy
Anuja, fondly known as Andy in the studio, is a self-taught potter whose work is celebrated for its bold scale and intricate surface decoration. Specializing in creating large collective pots, Andy employs traditional techniques such as coiling and pinching to craft pieces that are as imposing as they are delicate. Her mastery of groggy clay—a textured material known for its robustness—sets her apart in the pottery world. Andy’s skill in carving this challenging medium results in striking, durable pieces that stand as a testament to her artistic vision and technical expertise.
Andy’s Artistic Philosophy
- Process Over Product: Andy emphasizes the importance of the creative process, believing that each step is as valuable as the finished piece.
- Collaboration and Learning: She is passionate about sharing knowledge and fostering a collaborative environment where ideas and techniques are exchanged freely.
- Inspiration from Nature: The serene environment of Aura Farm greatly influences Andy’s work, with natural elements often reflected in her designs.
Retreat Schedule
Day 1, 2: Welcome & Introduction
Participants arrive on day 1, and take an easy day relaxing. Day 2 starts with meeting Andy and the Aura Pottery team, and get acquainted with the retreat’s objectives. A tour of the farm and studio sets the tone before they begin learning how to prepare and create groggy clay. The first hands-on session introduces them to shaping and handling the clay.
Day 3: Conceptualization & Design
Participants dive into the process of conceptualizing their pottery pieces, sketching and planning their designs. They explore Andy’s techniques for visualizing large-scale works and begin the initial stages of building their pieces, guided by her expertise.
Day 4: Advanced Building Techniques
Building continues with a focus on coiling and pinching techniques. Participants work on constructing the structure of their pottery with groggy clay, refining the forms as they go. Andy provides personalized feedback and tips to improve their work.
Day 5: Shaping & Refining
Participants focus on refining the shape of their pieces, working on intricate details and ensuring the overall balance. With Andy’s guidance, they fine-tune the structure and design to create a cohesive and well-proportioned piece.
Day 6: Surface Decoration
The focus shifts to surface decoration as participants explore carving, attaching, and texturing techniques. Andy demonstrates her signature methods for enhancing pottery, and participants apply these to their pieces, experimenting with various textures to add visual interest.
Day 7: Finishing Touches & Departure
Participants add the final details to their pottery, preparing the pieces for drying and firing. After reflecting on their work and the week’s experiences, they enjoy a final breakfast together before departing in the morning, leaving their pieces for firing and future shipment.
Retreat Price
Residential Retreat
Potters Villa
USD: 980 (International wire transfer)
INR: 82400/- (18% GST applicable)
The Private Residence
USD: 1380 (International wire transfer)
INR: 113750/- (+18% GST applicable)
Price is inclusive of all studio materials, and three fresh meals daily, accommodation, and all the mentioned activities.
Non- Residential Workshop
USD: 600 (International wire transfer)
INR: 49500/- (18% GST applicable)
Price is inclusive of the workshop, all studio materials, and lunches. Timings: 11AM to 7 PM.
*Each participant will need to arrange their own travel to Aura Pottery.
Your Stay
The farm is home to great architecture, lawns and a myriad shades of green, making it inspirational for people with diverse interests.
Potters Villa
The villa is a small building towards the far end of the property; it faces the orchard and is a two-minute walk from the studio. The villa is a cozy space with all rooms opening onto a central lounge where residents get together for meals, music and socializing with other residents, making the retreat a fulfilling experience.
The Private Residence
Surrounded by lush gardens and serenity, and home to more than a hundred lifestyle ceramics, handcrafted in the studio, you can expect to immerse yourself in an elegant ambience and unwind in utmost comfort
Your Meals
We believe in the power of food to nourish both body and soul, which is why we take pride in serving simple home cooked meals made with farm grown/locally sourced produce.
Your Surroundings
Sprawled over 3 acres, Aura offers beautiful outdoor spaces for you to enjoy. Grab a book & a beverage and find yourself by our infinity pool. After a busy day in the studio, take a dip in the pool and relax. A walking path around the entire periphery of the property takes you through our fruit orchard, organic kitchen garden, ponds, potters villa and the meditation circle. You could also find a great spot for a picnic & catch some hammock time.
DAILY SCHEDULE
Breakfast
Studio time
Lunch and rest
Studio time
Dinner
Terms
1. A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the price of the Booking is required within 7 days of us issuing a booking confirmation
2. The balance of the price of the Booking is payable 30 days prior to arrival at Aura Pottery. Last minute Bookings (booked within 30 days of departure) must be paid in full before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in cancellation of the booking.
3. All cancellations should be made in writing. The following cancellation charges will be payable:
If cancellation is received more than 30 days prior to arrival: 20%.
If cancellation is received from 30 days to 15 days prior to arrival: 50%.
If cancellation is received less than 15 days prior to arrival: 100%
4. Firing charges are INR 100/ 100 grams. We need 3-4 weeks to fire the pieces.
5. Shipping charges will apply as per logistics company estimates.
6. Participants must be at least 18 years or older to attend this retreat.
7. Prices and Schedules/Itineraries as shown on the website are subject to change. We reserve the right to change retreat/day trip/event prices, or prices of individual add-on components, without prior notice.
8. Participants must notify at hello@aurapottery.com of any dietary restrictions and allergies at the time of booking.
9. You acknowledge that retreat photographs and images which include you can be published by Aura Pottery or Austin for the company’s marketing purposes.
10. Residents can request a load of laundry, which is chargeable at INR 500 per load.